Brazo de Gitano
("Gypsy's Arm" Rolled Sponge Cake)

This is a classic Spanish chocolate cake-rum roll.

Ingredients

• 5 eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons sifted confectioners' sugar, divided
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 1 1/4 teaspoons rum extract
• 1 tablespoon superfine sugar*

* Superfine Sugar: Put desired amount of granulated sugar in a blender and blend at high speed for about 30 seconds.

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat egg yolks and 1/4 cup sugar until thick and smooth.
3. Stir in flour, cocoa and vanilla extract. Blend well.
4. Whip egg whites until stiff, but not dry. Fold into yolk and flour mixture.
5. Butter a 15 x 8-inch baking pan. Line with baking parchment paper or wax paper. Butter well again, and dust lightly with 2 tablespoons of the confectioners sugar.
6. Pour batter into the pan and spread out evenly.
7. Bake for 15 minutes.
8. Cool for 5 minutes, then turn onto a cloth to cool. After 10 minutes peel paper off.
9. Combine whipped cream, rum and sugar. Adjust to taste. Spread over cake and roll cake like a jellyroll, starting with the long edge.
10. Sprinkle with remaining confectioners' sugar.
11. Serve in slices.